The latest addition along the strip of Wyndham Street that has morphed into a mecca of open-fronted bars and restaurants is Tonic, a cocktail bar with a simple name. The interior is a study in contemporary cool, with a tactile mix of timber and polished and rough stones.

Small booths and an array of intimate high tables and black leather stools look over to a large showpiece bar. The establishment's large glass doors are usually open and used as dividers for those who want to feel they are sitting out on the street. International DJ nights are up and running. Local DJs crank it up later on several evenings during the week.

But into the drinks: champagnes and spirits include mostly top-tier labels, with some that are new to Hong Kong. There is also a decent wine list with several by-the-glass options. Some 10 varieties of vodka are offered, with signature cocktails including Shanghai White martini and Ginger VAT, which muddles fresh ginger with Ketel One vodka and tonic in a tall glass. Kumquat Caiprioshka and Caramel Mojito are also house specialities.

A snack menu takes a mainly Mexican and Spanish tapas slant, but fresh oysters and caviar also feature. Gratis canapes are served until 8pm on weekdays during happy hour.

DECOR Executive Zen

BEST FOR Well-balanced cocktails or a variety of champagne in cool surrounds

BEST DRINK Ginger VAT

WHAT? A new party drink from premium vodka maker Belvedere. The name Belvedere IX (nine in Roman numerals) comes from the fact that it is a flavored blend containing nine ingredients steeped in alcohol – ginseng, guarana, acai, ginger, jasmine, eucalyptus, three-cinnamon, black cherry and sweet almond – a few of which are known as natural energy boosters.

HERITAGE Introduced to Hong Kong in 2002, Belvedere is made in Poland following traditions dating back 600 years, and is handcrafted in small batches. This rye-derived concoction quickly became one of the big names in luxury vodkas.

ON THE PALATE A sweet spiciness followed by ginger, with lingering jasmine and occasional notes of menthol

It is enjoyably complex served chilled and neat or with mixers such as soda, tonic water and ginger ale. Playing on the spices, citric additions all work well too.

Drink with robustly flavored food. Lamb and beef go well, of course. Game and sauces with winereduction, garlic and shallots also measure up to the wine's strong personality.

PACKAGING The fuchsia scrawl design stretching the length of the bottle is the result of a collaboration between Belvedere and celebrity graffitist Andre Saraiva, who is also co-owner of nightclubs in Paris and New York. Don't be misled by the black bottle; despite the nine ingredients IX is a transparent pour.

AVAILABILITY From the likes of Azure, Beijing Club, Club Billion, Club No 9, Dragon-i, Drop, Halo, Kee Club, Mint, Play, Prive, Propaganda, Roxie and Volar. Priced from HKD1,800 per bottle. Price per drink will vary as a shot, with mixer or in a cocktail. There are no plans to sell Belvedere IX at wine shops or supermarkets at present.